Providence Police Severely Understaffed By Elorza - More Demands, More Dangers
GoLocalProv News Team
Providence Police Severely Understaffed By Elorza - More Demands, More Dangers
Providence Police are facing more and more demands and greater dangers with a police staffing level that often stretches the department to the breaking point.
Friday was the perfect example.
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70 Understaffing - No Relief in Elorza’s Budget
The 69th Providence Police Department Training Academy graduated in June. The 55 new police officers joined a Providence Police force significantly undermanned and constantly being asked to do more.
Top police officials tell GoLocal that today’s staffing level -- including the just-graduated class -- puts the Providence police at a force of 435.
The authorized number — the number “on the board” on Public Safety Commissioners Steven Pare’s office — is 494.
Police officials tell GoLocal that a fully staffed department is 505.
While Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza proposed more promotional funding for PVDFest -- Elorza’s summer festival -- he did not include funding for full staffing of the Police Department. Elorza's request for advertising and public relations for PVDFest was another $125,000 over the hundreds of thousands the city already budgeted.
This summer saw shootings both at PVDFest and a shooting across the street from Elorza's home.
A suspect was taken into custody for the PVDFest shooting. No one was apprehended for the shooting at 34-36 Dorchester Street by the Mayor's home.
New Initiatives, More Dangers
In the morning was the VIP laden opening of the new Providence Pedestrian Bridge — a spectacular new park and pedestrian walkway that connects the East Side of Providence to the jewelry district. It is a new public space with a new $21.9 million investment. Policing of the area only adds to the department’s responsibilities.
By early afternoon, ten-year veteran of the Providence Police force Matthew McGloin and other members of the Providence Police Task Force were attempting to make an arrest and came under gunfire.
McGloin was shot and hit in his vest 19-year-old Tyrone Robinson was arrested by police. According to Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements, Robinson is well known to police and has a significant arrest record.
The Department ended the day with new responsibilities, the usual dangers, and one officer nearly killed.